Sir Alex Ferguson reveals the key problem he noticed during the clash against Tottenham

Sir Alex Ferguson was back at Old Trafford to watch Michael Carrick’s Manchester United continue their remarkable run with a confident 2-0 win over Tottenham, making it four victories in a row. The result reinforced the feeling that the stadium has rediscovered its old magic, yet the legendary former manager is believed to have offered a timely warning behind the scenes. Despite the scoreline and the growing optimism around a possible trophy-laden season in 2026, Ferguson reportedly feels there is one flaw that could still undermine United’s ambitions.

With goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes settling the contest, Ferguson observed the match from the VIP section alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe. While he was impressed by the overall control and attacking intent, his attention was drawn to a brief but telling spell after Tottenham were reduced to ten men following Cristian Romero’s dismissal in the 29th minute. According to those close to the situation, Ferguson later spoke with Carrick and highlighted a moment where United appeared to drop their guard, allowing Spurs to enjoy too much freedom despite their numerical disadvantage.

The concern focused on the period before Mbeumo broke the deadlock, when United momentarily lost their edge. During that window, Tottenham managed to create openings, with Xavi Simons and Conor Gallagher both testing goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Ferguson believes this kind of lapse could be costly against stronger opponents, stressing that elite teams must tighten their grip immediately when facing ten men. He is said to feel that United allowed the game to breathe when it should have been suffocated, especially with Spurs still seeing a surprising amount of the ball in the first half.

There was also an element of wastefulness after the break, as United failed to capitalise on several clear chances before Fernandes finally sealed the win late on. For Ferguson, these moments underline the importance of ruthless game management, particularly with United still competing across multiple fronts and facing a demanding schedule.

Carrick, who has always spoken openly about Ferguson’s influence on his career, reportedly accepted the feedback without hesitation. In his post-match reflections, he acknowledged the challenges of breaking down a team with ten players and admitted his side wanted earlier control through a second goal. Whether this perceived lack of killer instinct proves decisive remains to be seen, but Ferguson’s message is clear: if United truly want everything on offer, intensity and focus must last from the first whistle to the last.